Apparatus for filling containers



March 10, 1953 c. F. CARTER ETAL Filed Jan. 8} 194a APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS 6 Sheets-Sheet l JNVENTORS. CLARENCE PI C RTER. J MES AXEjNOLDS BY T TOBNEY March 10, 1953 Filed Jan. 8, 1948 C. F. CARTER EI'AL 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 F: fi

'U UUJLJU U U U LIU Ll U T 107 13 104;

FIG. 5

[:[TTOENEY March 10, 1953 c, CARTER ETAL 2,630,954

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Jan. 8, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS. CLARENCE F CARTER F 16, 4 JAMES A. REYNOLDS BY XQM A 'z' TORNEY March 10, 1953 c. F. CARTER ETAL 2,630,954

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Jan. 8, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. CLAEENCE E CARTER A TTORNEY- March 10, 1953 c. F. CARTER ETAL 2,630,954

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Jan. s, 1948 e Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. CLARENCE F. CA 215:. JAMES A. Egrnvoz D5 BY A T TOENEY Patented Mar. 10, 1953 APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Clarence Freemont Carter and James A. Reynolds, Danville, 111.; said Reynolds assignor to said Carter Application January s, 1948, Serial No. 1,194

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for filling containers with comminuted solids. More particularly it relates to an automatic apparatus for filling envelopes with powdered or granular solids, and then sealing the:

envelopes thus filled.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which automatically places envelopes in filling position, opens them to receive the powder or granules, empties a measured charge of powder or granules into the envelope, transfers the envelope to a synchronized conveyor, seals the envelope, and discharges a predetermined number of filled and sealed containers at one or more stations ready for packaging for shipment.

A further object is to provide an improved envelope positioning device whose movement is exactly synchronized with the movement of a hopper and dial carrying the filling mechanism.

Other objects will become apparent from the following description of the apparatus, one embodimentof which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is an elevation in section through the center line of the filling portion of the machine. Figure2 is a perspective partly in section of the vacuum port means.

Figure 3 is a plan view with certain portions cut away, of the filling portion of the machine and part of the conveyor system.

Figure 4 is a perspective view partly in section of the mechanism for accomplishing the envelope mechanism feed motion.

Figure 5 is a perspective of one envelope suction block and opening fingers.

' Figure 6 is a side view of one of the measuring valves.

Figure '7 is a side view of the sealing and folding unit.

f Figure 8 is a plan view of a portion of the machine shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the entering section of the sealing chain.

Figure 10 is the elevation of the detail shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a view along the line lll| on Figure 9. Figure 12 is a view along the line |2--l2 on Figure 9.

Figure 13 is an elevation of one of the envelope pockets.

Figure 14 is a plan view of the end of the sealing chains and envelope conveyor. Figure 15 is an elevation of the portion shown inFigure 14. l V

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic sketch of the drive system.

7 Refer now to the drawings for a detailed de scription of the machine and its operation.

Machine frame I supports the bracket 2 in which is clamped stationary spindle 3 which is hollow for a portion of its length. About this spindle 3 dial 4 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction. Dial 4 is journalled on bearing 1 and supported by thrust bearing 5. Driving gear Si is fixed to the lower end of the dial hub 4' and is driven in synchronism with conveyor l 2 by means.

of pinion 13 (see Fig. 16) fixed to sprocket l4,

both running on shaft I! and connected by chain 53 to sprocket l5 keyed to conveyor shaft Hi The machine drive is from motor ll through variable speed pulley l1 and belt I8 to gear boxand passing around idler sprocket 36. Chain 33 is also driven by shaft 20 through the pair of beveled gears 34 and a spur gear 38 on vertical shaft 35. Spur gear 38 drives spur gear 39 onvertical shaft 40 which drives sprocket 42 engaging chain 33 which passes around idler.

sprocket 4|. Pressure belt 3| is driven by a sprocket 43 on vertical shaft 35', engaging chain 44 to sprocket 45 fixed to vertical shaft 45 on the lower end of which is drive pulley 41. Pressure belt 3| passes around idler pulley 48 which runs on vertical shaft 49 fixed in arm 50 (Fig. 3) which is supported on post 5|.

Dial drive and mechanism feed motion is obtained from the opposite end of slow speed shaft I9' on the gear box l9 through beveled gears 52,-

vertical shaft 16, sprocket l5, chain 53 to sprock en I 4 which is fixed to pinion l3 and rotates on shaft II. The envelope feed motion mechanism is obtained from dial gear 6 through idlers 54" and pinions 55.

The envelope feed mechanism will now be described with special reference to Figures 1, and

Empty envelopes are loaded into two magazines generally indicated as 56 and 51, each magazine is fixed to a slidably mounted plate 58; The motion of each magazine is similar and onlyone will be described in detail. The envelopes are fed in pairs, on from each magazine to a pair of envelope suction blocks on the rotating dial. The motion of cam 59 is synchronized with the movement of dial 4 through shaft 5!], gears 55, idlers 54 and gear 6. This cam 59 imparts a reciprocating motion to slide 58 through roller 6i, slide 62 and link 63. Spring 64 resting against base or housing 65 and thrusting against slide 62 causes roller 6! to follow cam 59. Slide 58 is carried in slideway 66 which is given an oscillating motion about pivot H by means of cam 61, rocker arm 68 pivoted at 68', and link 69. The slide 58 is held in position in the slideway 66 by means of plates is. This same oscillating motion is imparted to the other magazine 51 through link 12 pivotally connected at E3 and 14 to the forward ends of the two slideways BE. The reciprocating motion of slide 58 coupled with the oscillating motion of its slideway 66 causes the envelope magazine to travel in an ellipgical path somewhat flattened at the forward on The shape of cams 59 and t? and the timing relative to each other and to dial 4 is such that the envelope magazine moves rapidly forward to contact an appropriate suction block 35 during its rotation about the spindle 3. At the time of contact of the envelope with the suction block for approximately 55 of the dial rotation the sideward motion of the envelope magazine is synchronized with the rotation of the dial. The envelope magazine then backs sharply away and repeats the cycle. Thus during each cycle an envelope is simultaneously placed in position on each of two suction blocks.

It is an advantage of this invention that the movement of the mechanism is synchronized as described with the movement of the dial so that the envelopes are placed squarely and accurately on the suction block and held there until subsequent action, hereinafter described, maintains them on the suction block. The timing is such that the movement of the magazines and the suction blocks must always correspond and each envelope must necessarily be placed in its intended position.

Weight of the envelope follower it sliding in bearings 11 keeps a supply of empty envelopes in position at the forward end of the magazine. The envelopes are prevented from sliding out of the envelope magazine until gripped by suction block by pointed pins l8 protruding slightly inside the magazine wall 19.

As the suction block !5 carrying the empty envelope rotates past air-fed nozzle 88, (Fig.

3), a sharp blast of air is directed against the envelope fiap and downward into the envelope thus blowing it open. Coincident with this, fingers 8| pivoted at 82 are pulled together by spring 83 as rollers 84 at the extremities of the finger arms drop off of cams 85 and 86. Pressure of the outer end of fingers 8| against the back of the open envelope maintains it in an open position.

Above each suction block 75 and in line with the open envelope is a measuring valve generally shown as 81 (see Fig. 6) supported by framework 88 which is fixed to dial l and thus rotates with it. This valve 8? is supplied with powdered or granular material from hopper 83 supported by framework 88.

At approximately point A (Fig, 3), the upper gate 90 is opened by the action of stationary cam 9lacting against roller 92 fixed to arm 93 which is clamped to-shaft s i on which gate 90 is fixed. Powder or granular material then flows from hopper 89 through tube 95 into measuring chamber 96 filling it to capacity. At point B roller 92 drops ofi of cam 9i and comes into contact with upper cam 91 forcing it down and closing gate 53c thus cutting off the flow of material into the measuring chamber.

At approximately point C the lower gate 98 of chamber 95 is opened by roller 99 riding under stationary cam [00. Roller 99 is fixed on arm it which is clamped to gate shaft I02. As gate 98 opens, the charge of material contained in the measuring chamber 96 falls through funnel 103 and into the envelope below. At point D gate 98 is closed by the action of spring 194 as roller 95! rides off of the end of cam I60 and the filling cycle is repeated.

As the suction block approaches the discharge position, fingers 8! are opened by rollers 84 riding up over cams and 86 thus allowing the envelope to close.

Movement of conveyor I2 is synchronized with dial 4 so that each suction block coincides with an envelope pocket H15 on conveyor [2, at the point of tangency (approximately point A). As the dial rotates and the conveyor l2 moves forward, the filled envelope is placed between fingers H36 and rests upon fingers 101. Stationary guide rod I08 strips the filled envelope from the suction block as the vacuum is released as hereafter described and the conveyor continues to move forward carrying the envelope with it.

Pressure belt 3% (Figs. 9, 10, 11) is driven in unison with the conveyor 12 and held against the surface of the envelope pockets by pressure rollers we thus pressing the envelope just be-' low the top, tightly against the back plate H0 of the envelope pocket 15 during its passage through the sealing and folding device, thus obviating any slippage of the envelope which would cause an imperfect fold and seal. The envelope is held by this pressure belt until it enters and is gripped by sealing chains 32 and The sealing and folding mechanism is similar to other devices used for this purpose throughout the field. When desirable, a heat sealing unit may. be substituted for the gluing device as illusstrated herein.

As the envelope carried in the envelope pocket I05 progresses forward, turnover ill (Figs. -8) turns the envelope flap to a horizontal position with its inner face uppermost in order to pick ups. film of glue from glue wheel H2 which is supplied with glue by rollers H3 and H4 rotating in glue pot H5. The glued envelope then progresses to the fold over guide H6 which turns the glued flap downward into its final position. The fiap is held down by plate H1 until it is gripped between sealing chains 32 and 33. Sealing chains 32 and 33 moving at the same linear speed as the envelope, press the glued fiap tightly against the envelope. Length of travel of the envelope between the sealing chains is such that sufficient time is allowed for the glue to set. The sealing chain 32 in contact with the envelope is backed up by fixed idler I I8, supported on brack et H9 and framework 120. Sealing chain 33 in contact with the backside of the envelope is pressed against sealing chain 32 by idlers l2! mounted on the ends of the equalizing bar I22 which is pivoted at the extremity of swinging arm I23. Spring I26 rotates arm l23 about its pivot I25 thus supplying pressure to the back of chain 33 in contact with the envelope. The

sealed envelope emerges from the sealing chains and is carried around the end of the conveyor as it passes over idler sprockets I33 and is held in place by guide rods I26 to point E (Figs. 11, 14 and 15). Here 'arm I21 pivoted'on shaft I28 fixed to the envelope back plate IIO comes into contact with stationary rollers I29 and is cammed sharply outward kicking the filled envelope clear of the conveyor pocket and into discharge chute I30. As arm I21 passes beyond the cam rollers I29 torsion spring I3I returns it to its original position.

If desirable one-half of the envelope pockets may be discharged at one point and the other half at a second point at a further position along the conveyor by placing kicker arm I21 on half of the envelope pockets so that it will pass over rollers at point E but will strike a similar roller at point F. A similar arrangement may be made for several discharge points if desirable. Also the envelope pockets may be arranged so that groups of any desired number of envelopes will be discharged in succession at one point, and the following group of a similar number. will pass by this point and be discharged at a succeeding point or points thus allowing an interval during which the operator may unload the discharge chute. In view of the rapidity with which the envelopes are discharged on a machine such as described having 12 suction blocks, this interval between discharges may be necessary to give the operators time to keep up with the operation. A machine of this size has the capacity of over 200 filled envelopes per minute.

The conveyor continues beyond the final discharge point F and passes around the driving sprockets I32 driven by vertical shaft I6. Variation in the length of sealing chains 32 and 33 is accommodated by the adjustable coupling I34.

Envelope pockets I05 are supported by rollers I35 mounted on pins I 36 and rolling on track I31.

The level of powdered or granular material is maintained at the desired height in the hopper 89 by means of valve shoe I38 which closes off supply spout I39 when the material reaches the desired level.

Slack in conveyor chain I40 is taken up by set screw I4I pressing against bearing I42 in which is mounted the shaft I43 for idler sprockets I33.

Suction cups I44 on the face of block 15 are connected to a source of vacuum through chambers I45 (Fig. 1) and hollow shaft I46 of spindle 3. When ports I41 in bushing I48 are in alignment with chamber I45, they are uncovered by block I49, permitting vacuum to be drawn through groove I50 in spindle 3. The location and shape of this block I49 is such that vacuum is drawn on the suction cups beginning at the moment when the suction block is in line with the envelope magazines, thus picking up empty envelopes from the magazines and carrying them around with the rotating dial until approximately point A at which time the vacuum is cut off by block I49 covering ports I41. Port I41 is then open to atmosphere as it passes groove I5I which communicates with aperture I52 in shaft 3.

Having described a preferred apparatus and method, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details illustrated and described.

We claim as our invention:

1. An envelope filling machine comprising a support, a continuously rotatable dial mounted thereon, envelope supplying means mounted on said support at a fixed station adjacent the dial, a plurality of envelope grasping and holding means on said dial; said supplying means comprising a magazine mounted for limited movement, means for moving said magazine forwardly toward and into envelope engaging relationship with said grasping means, means for moving the magazine in a limited arc in the direction of travel of said dial and at the same rate of speed, means for moving said magazine away from said dial and returning it to its original position; means actuating said grasping means while in envelope engaging relationship with said magazine, means for opening said envelope, means for filling said envelope, and means for removing filled envelopes from said dial.

2. An envelope filling device comprising a support, a continuously rotatable dial mounted thereon, a plurality of envelope grasping means on said dial, envelope supplying means mounted on said support at a fixed station, said envelope supplying device comprising a magazine-bearing member mounted for reciprocation and limited lateral movement, said member being pivotally supported on said support at the end remote from the dial, a magazine mounted on said member, a first cam imparting reciprocal motion to said member, a second cam mounted adjacent the feed end of said magazine to impart limited lateral oscillatory motion to the end of said member adjacent the dial, driving means for said dial and said cams, said means imparting synchronous movement to said dial and said supplying means, whereby said magazine is moved forward into envelope engaging relationship with said grasping means and simultaneously moved laterally in the direction of movement of said continuously moving dial, is then moved away from said dial and back to the starting position, means for actuating said grasping means when in envelope engaging relationship to said magazine, means for opening said envelope, means for holding it open, means for filling said envelope, and means for removing filled envelopes from said dial.

CLARENCE FREEMONT CARTER. JAMES A. REYNOLDS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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